UAE’s Top 25 Pioneers of Web3 Innovation

As COO of Moonwalk Systems, Alireza Aletomeh has been pivotal in positioning the UAE as a powerhouse in cryptocurrency mining and high-performance computing. Transitioning from biochemistry to blockchain in 2020, his background combines scientific precision with business acumen. Under his leadership, Moonwalk has expanded globally, developing innovative cooling systems for desert-based mining and investing in high-performance data centers. His cross-sector expertise, from energy to blockchain, drives Moonwalk’s operational excellence and reinforces the UAE’s prominence in digital infrastructure.

Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit, transformed his expertise in forex markets into building one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. Born in Hangzhou, China, and raised in New Zealand, Zhou’s global perspective and values of discipline and teamwork shaped his vision. Since founding Bybit in 2018, Zhou has prioritized innovation, reliability, and 24/7 multilingual support, growing the platform to serve 50 million users globally. In 2023, Bybit’s Dubai headquarters solidified its leadership in the Middle East’s crypto landscape.

Christopher Fernandez, CEO of Block Gemini, began his tech journey at eight, mastering Unix systems through his father’s work as a Canadian government computer administrator. A natural entrepreneur, he launched his first venture at 15 during the dot-com boom, honing his expertise in digital media and technology. Born in Dubai and raised in Toronto, Fernandez’s global perspective and technical acumen have driven Block Gemini’s success in enterprise technology. His leadership focuses on innovative solutions that redefine digital transformation and enterprise modernization.

Dmitriy Sheludko, CEO and co-founder of Biconomy, is on a mission to make digital finance accessible to billions. A Yale graduate with expertise in economics and psychology, Sheludko transitioned from managing a family fund to immersing himself in blockchain in 2014. By 2019, he founded Biconomy, now handling $200 million in daily transactions globally. Focused on education and accessibility, Sheludko envisions cryptocurrency as a tool for financial empowerment, driving mainstream adoption through innovation and inclusivity.

Fardad Zand, co-founder and CEO of Wisdomise, is redefining decentralized finance through knowledge sharing. With dual degrees in engineering and computer science, an MBA, and a PhD in Information Economics, Zand combines technical expertise with business acumen. After scaling platform businesses at Careem, he founded Wisdomise in 2021 to tokenize financial expertise. The platform democratizes DeFi, rewarding knowledge sharing and enabling accessibility. Zand’s academic and professional insights drive Wisdomise’s innovative, scalable solutions for a fairer financial ecosystem.

Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, has redefined cryptocurrency leadership since her appointment in May 2024. A former TV host turned crypto pioneer, her journey began in 2014, inspired by interviews with blockchain innovators like Tim Draper. Joining Bitget in 2022 as Managing Director, Chen quadrupled the platform’s user base to 25 million and forged iconic partnerships with Lionel Messi and La Liga. Her initiatives, #Blockchain4Youth and #Blockchain4Her, champion inclusivity, while her strategic vision drives innovation in Web3 integration and crypto education.

Luuk Strijers, CEO of Deribit, leverages two decades of finance experience to lead crypto’s top options exchange. Relocating to Dubai, he’s driving institutional growth, regulatory innovation, and bridging traditional finance with cryptocurrency markets, commanding 90% Bitcoin and Ethereum options.

Matti Zinder, Co-Founder and President of Bedu, leverages three decades of business success to pioneer the UAE’s Web3 and metaverse innovation. With a global outlook shaped by degrees from The Hebrew University and Harvard Business School, Zinder drives Bedu’s dual verticals: Bedu Labs, an NFT factory, and Bedu World, a visionary metaverse ecosystem. His human-centric philosophy emphasizes long-term relationships and societal impact, positioning Bedu as a gateway to the metaverse for the UAE and the broader MENA region.

Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center and Strategic Advisor at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, is a visionary leader driving Dubai’s blockchain revolution. With expertise spanning over two decades, his achievements include founding the world’s first Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) and fostering innovation through the Dubai Blockchain Center. A global influencer recognized by Coin Telegraph’s Top 100, Dr. Alzarouni balances technological advancement with ethics, creating a community shaping blockchain’s future and Dubai’s global leadership.

Mohammad Raafi Hossain, founder and CEO of Fasset, is dedicated to democratizing financial access. With a background in policy innovation at the UAE Prime Minister’s Office and impactful initiatives like Narwi and Finocracy, Hossain integrates technology and financial inclusion to transform lives in emerging markets. Through Fasset, he bridges digital assets with sustainable economic development.

Mohammed Al-Hakim, the first Emirati to lead a major cryptocurrency platform’s regional operations, has been appointed President of Crypto.com’s UAE division. Known for attracting $800M in foreign investments to Dubai, his expertise in regulatory landscapes and digital transformation positions him to drive Crypto.com’s growth and support the UAE’s digital economy. Al-Hakim’s leadership, honed at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and his role in MBRCLD, reflects his commitment to innovation and regional collaboration in cryptocurrency adoption.

Mo Ali Yusuf, co-founder and CEO of Fuze, is shaping MENA’s digital asset infrastructure. Leading Fuze to a record $14M seed funding in 2023, Yusuf’s vision drives blockchain accessibility for financial institutions. With a career spanning Visa, Checkout.com, and SAMA, he blends traditional finance expertise with technological innovation. Armed with a Computer Science degree and an MBA from London Business School, Yusuf co-chairs MENA FinTech Association’s Digital Assets Working Group, influencing policy and fostering transformative financial solutions across the region.

Melanie Mohr, founder and CEO of PWR Labs and WOM Protocol, is a visionary shaping the future of Web3. With over 20 years in media, marketing, and technology, she bridges ambitious innovation with real-world usability. From launching YEAR to revolutionizing word-of-mouth marketing with WOM Protocol, Mohr’s ventures have redefined how brands connect with consumers. As Global Chair of Silicon Valley’s H2 network and advisor to leading blockchain organizations, she champions inclusive Web3 design, transforming technology into human-centric solutions.

Miriam Kiwan, a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience across Europe and the Middle East, is driving the region’s transformation into a global hub for technology and digital assets. As Circle’s lead for Middle East and Africa market expansion, she bridges traditional finance and digital innovation. Her leadership at Abu Dhabi Global Market redefined how financial centers foster technological growth. With global expertise honed through a TRIUM Global Executive MBA and blockchain credentials from UC Berkeley, Kiwan shapes inclusive, sustainable financial ecosystems.

Matthew White, CEO of Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), brings over two decades of technology expertise to redefine digital asset regulation. A former head of PwC’s Cybersecurity practice and co-founder of two startups, White blends corporate leadership with entrepreneurial insight. With academic credentials from MIT Sloan and Oxford’s Saïd Business School, he champions accessible technology and inclusive dialogue. White’s vision for VARA aligns innovation with trust, positioning Dubai as a global leader in the virtual asset economy.

Nadeem Ladki, a seasoned leader with two decades of global financial experience, is bridging traditional and digital finance at Bitpanda Technology Solutions. Leveraging roles at Deutsche Bank, Binance, Ripple, and Standard Chartered, he drives partnerships like those with Coinmotion, CoinMENA, and RAKBANK. His focus on scalable infrastructure enables financial institutions to integrate digital assets seamlessly, offering regulated trading and custody services for stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and metals.

Ola Doudin, co-founder and CEO of BitOasis, is the Middle East’s “Bitcoin Pioneer,” leading the region’s largest digital asset platform. Leaving her role at Ernst & Young London, Doudin embraced the transformative potential of Bitcoin, launching BitOasis in 2015. Today, the platform boasts over 700,000 users, $5 billion in trading volume, and a 2023 license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. With a balanced focus on innovation and compliance, Doudin is expanding BitOasis across MENA, Africa, and Asia, shaping the region’s crypto future.

Ralf Glabischnig, co-founder of the Crypto Valley Association and Swiss Blockchain Federation, is a visionary architect of the blockchain revolution. Starting as a software consultant with Accenture, he moved to Zug in 2005, witnessing its transformation into “Crypto Valley.” Through initiatives like CV Labs and the DMCC Crypto Center in Dubai, Glabischnig supports nearly 300 blockchain companies globally. Driven by a belief in decentralization, he’s shaping blockchain ecosystems in Switzerland, the UAE, and beyond, redefining the future of finance and technology.

Richard Teng’s journey from civil servant to CEO of Binance exemplifies transformative leadership and adaptability. Starting at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, he built a foundation in traditional finance, later shaping Asian finance as Chief Regulatory Officer at Singapore Exchange. At Abu Dhabi Global Market, Teng fused traditional markets with cutting-edge technology, setting new standards for innovation. Joining Binance in 2021, he bridged traditional finance with digital assets, becoming CEO in 2023. Teng champions innovation with responsibility, proving trust and progress can coexist.

Rifad Mahasneh, General Manager of OKX MENA, is driving the transformation of Dubai into a global crypto hub. With experience leading Uber’s GCC operations and Rain Financial UAE, his expertise in scaling businesses in complex markets is unmatched. Guided by a commitment to trust and transparency, Mahasneh leverages Dubai’s forward-thinking regulatory framework and VARA’s licensing to position OKX as a trusted partner for digital asset investors. His vision places the UAE at the epicenter of the global crypto revolution.

Saeed Hareb Al Darmaki, CEO of Sheesha Finance, is revolutionizing DeFi investment by making early-stage projects accessible to a wider audience. Starting his career at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in 2009, he transitioned to blockchain in 2018, co-founding Alphabit Digital Currency Fund and later launching Sheesha Finance in 2020. With leadership roles at Casper Labs and advisory positions across the blockchain ecosystem, Al Darmaki bridges traditional and decentralized finance, driving innovation and institutional adoption across the MENA region’s evolving digital financial landscape.

Dr. Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO), leads the world’s first common law free zone dedicated to virtual asset companies. A UK-qualified chartered accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, his career spans nearly four decades of financial leadership and innovation. From founding Dubai International Capital to serving as Group CFO for The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dr. Al Ansari bridges traditional finance with digital asset innovation, creating a supportive ecosystem for the future of finance.

Bijan Alizadeh, CEO of Cypher Capital, is a key architect of the UAE’s rise as a global crypto hub. Starting in 2015 with Phoenix Technology, he built one of the region’s largest mining farms and expanded globally, amassing 450 MW of capacity. Transitioning to investment, Alizadeh launched Phoenix VC and later Cypher Capital, a $100 million fund dedicated to blockchain and digital assets. His holistic approach includes a 10,000-square-foot hub for startups, promoting innovation, collaboration, and regulated growth within the UAE’s thriving blockchain ecosystem.

Talaal Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO of CoinMENA, has emerged as one of the Middle East’s leading crypto entrepreneurs. With an Industrial Engineering degree from Purdue University and experience at PwC UAE, Tabbaa transitioned to crypto, co-founding Jibrel Network and raising $30 million in a token sale. Launching CoinMENA in 2021, he built the MENA region’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency exchange, achieving over 1 million user sign-ups and $2 billion in trading volume. Committed to regulatory compliance and innovation, Tabbaa bridges traditional finance with the digital future.

Vakhtang Abrahamyan, CEO of Fastex since November 2022, brings over two decades of financial leadership to the forefront of FinTech innovation. As former Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia, he played a pivotal role in shaping Armenia’s financial infrastructure, overseeing key institutions like ACRA-Credit Bureau and ARCA-Card Processing Center. With advanced education in digital transformation from Columbia and Cambridge, Abrahamyan bridges traditional finance with emerging technologies, leveraging expertise in risk management and IT governance to drive Fastex’s growth in the evolving financial landscape.